2016 goals wrap up

It's still pouring buckets out there.  And tonight is my completion of No Stirrup November.  Oh, and my thighs hurt from my incredibly dumb idea I had on Monday where I'd propel myself along with nothing chasing me.

The chug went with me on my shuffle, she can't figure out what I'm whining about

I need a mood lift.  I think it's time to wrap up my 2016 goals.  Here is what I put in my post from last year:

Goals:
1.  Qualify for the Region 8 Championships at Training Level
2.  Actually go to the Regional Championships
3.  Get my last First Level score for my Bronze
     - Fi's scores didn't count because I was showing opportunity classes.  Fail.
4.  Complete a three phase with less than 100 faults on cross country
5.  Do two clinics

Stretch goals:
1.  Score a 60%+ at First Level 3 so I can do musical freestyle in 2017
2.  Do a clean cross country
3.  BUY THEO

 How did we do?  Not bad!

1.  Qualify for the Region 8 Championships at Training Level - We totally did this and even did this on schedule.  We had some off performances, but we didn't struggle too much with getting our scores.  We even had a spare one and got to move up to First level.

2.  Actually go to the Regional Championships - We did it!  It was overwhelming and gave me a serious case of stage fright, but the important thing is that we did it and we didn't embarrass Trainer A.  We marched in the biggest ring I've ever ridden in and lived to tell the tale.

3.  Get my last First Level score for my Bronze - Yuppers!  Theo successfully moved up to First level.  Our First 1 scores have been respectable, First 2 had a spook (we only did it once), and First 3 I wanted to puke because I was at regionals.  But we weren't laughed out of the ring at any of these outings and we even got some ribbons.

4.  Complete a three phase with less than 100 faults on cross country - This I did not do.  After getting to know Theo, I decided to retire him from cross country.  We did take him out for a two phase which he rocked, but three phases are no longer a goal for us.

5.  Do two clinics - Just barely.  We did the Leslie Grandmaison clinic in the spring and we have a clinic on Monday with Gerrit-Claes Bierenbroodspot.  I don't know much about him, but one of my h/j friends is hosting the clinic so Trainer A and I are driving down for a lesson.  He's got clients up to Grand Prix level, so I'm looking forward to the experience.  Trainer A is bringing Miss Thang so we can both ride First Level horses that are eyeballing Second level.  

We didn't do quite as well on the stretch goals.

1.  Score a 60%+ at First Level 3 so I can do musical freestyle in 2017 - Nope.  We only did one test at this level, I choked, and we got a 57%.  But that's okay, we'll get that 60% in 2017 and do our freestyle.

2.  Do a clean cross country - Nope, very retired from cross country.

3.  BUY THEO - YES!  This one I did!  And all joking aside, I do not regret it.  He is the horse I need today, a steady partner that doesn't bring a lot of drama to my life.  He's not stunning, he's not overly talented, but he is compatible with me, willing, and capable of the work.  He jumps the jumps, he hauls to the shows, and he learns the fancy moves.  He's my boy and I love him.

So I'd say we had a successful year, especially for Theo's debutante season.  He's gone from being a green bean with a history of jumping out of rings to being an experienced show horse that knows his job.  There's so many skills he had to learn that have nothing to do with scores from judges.  Just dealing with life as a competition horse is a skill.  Going around the outside of the ring before the test was the hardest thing for us to learn, but we got a solid start on it.

I'll have to think hard about my 2017 goals.  I have so many, I'm in danger of over facing us both.  Thankfully Trainer A will tell me to knock it off if I sign up for too much or push to hard.  Or Theo will.  Because he does not take me being crazy with grace.